Golfers hope to peak for regional play

Photo courtesy Mark FaberPirate golfer Jake Keuning makes a putt for birdie at a tournament held on Aug. 28 at the Devil’s Thumb Golf Club in Delta, named for Devil’s Thumb, seen in the background. Keuning shot a 93 on the day.

Less than two weeks remain until four Pagosa Springs High School golfers take to the Hollydot Golf Course for the regional tournament, leaving four tournaments for the Pirates to hit their stride.

Over the last week (plus one day), the team took part in two tournaments, both on challenging and unusual courses that were new to most of the Pirates.

The first of the tournaments took place at the Devil’s Thumb Golf Club in Delta, with the team returning home having placed in the bottom third of 12 participating teams.

“They didn’t play great, but they didn’t play bad,” coach Mark Faber said of the team’s performance.

Jake Keuning led the Pirates on the day, finishing with a 93 on the par-72 course. Casey Mudroch followed with a 94.

Taylor Heitz notched a 104 on the day, followed by Bryce Jacquez at 105 and Jaylon Ochoa at 107.

“It’s just a really different golf course,” Faber said.

The next day, the team played at the Cobble Creek Golf Club in Montrose — another long, difficult course new to many of the Buccaneers, according to Faber.

Mudroch led the team with an 82 on the day, causing Faber to note, “He really played as well as anybody’s played all year. He really played well.”

Keuning followed with a 91 that caused Faber to highlight his improvement.

Rounding out the team, Ochoa shot a 93, Jacquez notched a 98, and Heitz completed the day with a 104.

“I’m proud of the way they played,” Faber said, noting the unusual amount of water on the golf course.

The team finished eighth among 14 teams.

Today, the team is playing at the Grandote Peaks Golf Club in La Veta.

“It’s another tough golf course,” Faber said, adding, “It’ll be another good test for them.”

Friday, however, will be a change of pace — a much more straightforward, simple course — at Monte Vista.

The team is also playing with an eye toward the regional tournament on Sept. 17, with the team able to enter only four golfers.

“We’re just trying to get everyone to peak at that particular time,” Faber said.